WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): With the 2024 tax filing season just around the corner, the IRS is launching a special Tax Professional Awareness Week on Monday, Jan. 8, to assist tax professionals on what to expect during the filing season and start 2024 on the right foot.

The special week is the IRS’ latest effort in support of taxpayers and the tax community. Each year, millions of taxpayers seek the help of tax professionals to prepare their federal tax returns and other filings.

“As the 2024 tax season rapidly approaches, Tax Professional Awareness Week highlights the vital role they play in helping taxpayers and our nation,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “Tax professionals play a critical role in ensuring the integrity of our tax system. We continue to urge taxpayers who need help to reach out to a trusted tax professional, including those who work with recognized national organizations.”

A significant number of taxpayers eligible for refundable credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit choose to enlist the assistance of tax preparers and rely on paid tax professionals to accurately file their returns. The IRS reminds taxpayers to make sure they choose a trusted, respected tax professional for help. The IRS has more information available to help taxpayers select a tax professional.

As a reminder, taxpayers can also use the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. For available more information and locations, see free tax return preparation for qualifying taxpayers.

During the week, the IRS will focus on several critical topics often faced by tax professionals through social media posts and outreach materials:

Due Diligence issues.
Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFINs).
Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs).
E-File.
E-Services.
Identity Theft.
The IRS will also present two important webinars:

On Wednesday, Jan. 10: Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions on Due Diligence.
On Friday, Jan. 12: Sailing Through the Rules of Refundable Tax Credits.
The IRS webinars will include information on additional resources, training and tools available, at no charge, to tax professionals through the online Tax Return Preparer Toolkit. Attendees can earn Continuing Professional Education credit for attending the live webinars.

In addition to the IRS webinars, other training opportunities will be available during Tax Professional Awareness Week at courses, seminars or expos presented by members of the tax professional community including the Texas Society of CPAs, the University of Minnesota and the University of Michigan.

For more information, visit Tax Professional Awareness Week.